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How cultured are you?
Deeply concerned about the rough behaviour of some students in a secondary school, the head of the English department asked them to write something on culture. The term ’culture’ has such a wide range of meaning that I was left thinking for some time. Before long, what Prof. Ram Prakash, responsible for Oriental culture at the ex-Teacher’s Training College (TTC) had taught years back came to my mind.
When we, trainee teachers, were asked for a definition of ’culture’, we gave several answers. A few of us, former Latin and language teachers in private secondary schools, were quick to come up with its derivation from ‘cultus’ which means ‘till’ or ‘worship’. They had joined the TTC because career prospects where they were working were indeed bleak. Some said ’culture’ meant growing plants or breeding animals. Others stated it was the beliefs, customs, way of life of a social group or people, etc. Answers also related to development through training, exercise like physical culture. In fact, there were various proposals but none to the satisfaction of the professor.
It was then that he explained that ’culture’ just means consideration for others. Amazed at the child-like simplicity of the lecture, everybody listened with absorbed interest. To make his point clearer, he gave examples of individuals who have no sense of culture in their daily activities and duties.
Inconsiderate</B>
A person is said to lack in culture if he/she pays no attention to others less fortunate. When you play loud music/shout when someone is ill, resting or studying, you show you are inconsiderate. Parents, who leave their children on their own, do not care for their upbringing, education and future, do not know what culture is. On the other hand, children that disown their parents who have done everything so they can attain their aim in life also reveal their absence of culture. The same applies to the relationship between teachers and pupils, doctors and patients, etc.
No matter the grade of worker - from the top brass of any organisation to a cleaner/lavatory assistant, he/she must do his/her work sincerely and with a clear conscience to be worthy of being really cultured. However, some officers are so blinded by the privileges attached to their posts that they forget they are there to serve and not to harass/persecute those working under them. In their selfishness, they consider others as beasts of burden to be exploited as the latter are helpless and weak. Being at the giving end, they rule with fear and threats. Such people are devoid of culture, traitors draining the nation’s wealth and human resources.
Behind your desk, you have the unique opportunity of serving others, making your country a better place. It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice, whatever your position is. Consideration for others is the distinguishing mark of a person of culture.
Culture is thus something not just meant for scholars. It should be found everywhere, in all walks of life. Taking advantage of one’s position in the office/society to harm and oppress others is simply the opposite of culture. Culture - consideration for others - means to serve with devotion, elegance and loyalty.
<B>Kaviraj SOHUR</B>
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